The effects of thyroid dysfunction on DNA damage and apoptosis in liver and heart tissues of rats

Gulnur Guler; Dervis Dasdelen; Saltuk Bugra Baltaci; Abdullah Sivrikaya; Abdulkerim Kasim Baltaci; Rasim Mogulkoc

doi:10.1515/hmbci-2021-0059

Article

The effects of thyroid dysfunction on DNA damage and apoptosis in liver and heart tissues of rats

Gulnur Guler , Dervis Dasdelen , Saltuk Bugra Baltaci , Abdullah Sivrikaya , Abdulkerim Kasim Baltaci and Rasim Mogulkoc

Published/Copyright: October 22, 2021

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From the journal Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation Volume 43 Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives

Thyroid hormones affect many enzymes, organs, and systems. They also play a role in complex biological events including development and growth. The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of thyroid dysfunction on DNA damage and apoptosis in liver and heart tissues as well as the treatment of these disorders.

Methods

Thirty-eight Wistar-albino male rats were randomly divided into five groups: 1. Control group (n=6): The rats were sacrificed without any application and liver and heart samples were collected. 2. Hypothyroidism group (n=8): Prophyltiouracil (PTU)-10 mg/kg/day was applied to induce hypothyroidism by intraperitoneal route for two weeks. 3. Hypothyroidism + Thyroxine group (n=8): After one week of PTU application (10 mg/kg/day), a high dose of l-thyroxine (1.5 mg/kg/day) was applied by intraperitoneal route for one week. 4. Hyperthyroidism group (n=8): l-thyroxine (0.3 mg/kg/day) was applied intraperitoneally to induce hyperthyroidism for two weeks. 5. Hyperthyroidism + PTU group (n=8): After one week of high dose l-thyroxine application, PTU (10 mg/kg/day) was applied for one week.

Results

Liver and heart tissues were collected to evaluate 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), caspase-8 and caspase-9 levels. Hypothyroidism caused DNA damage in the liver, while hyperthyroidism caused DNA damage in the heart tissue. Hyperthyroidism also led to a significant increase in levels of caspase-8 and caspase-9 in liver tissue.

Conclusions

The results of the study show that DNA damage and caspase levels in the heart and liver are affected differently in experimental hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Keywords: apoptosis; DNA damage; heart; hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism; liver; rat

Corresponding author: Dr. Rasim Mogulkoc, Deparment of Physiology, Medical School, Selcuk University, Konya, 42075, Turkey, Fax: +90 332 2412184, E-mail: rasimmogulkoc@yahoo.com

Funding source: Selcuk University Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship

Award Identifier / Grant number: 19202074

Research funding: This study was supported by Selcuk University Scientific Research Projects Coordinatorship (Project no: 19202074).
Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.
Informed consent: Informed consent was obtained from all individuals included in this study.
Ethical approval: The local Institutional Review Board deemed the study exempt from review.

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Received: 2021-07-12

Accepted: 2021-10-04

Published Online: 2021-10-22

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/hmbci-2021-0059

Keywords for this article

apoptosis; DNA damage; heart; hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism; liver; rat